How Important Are Macronutrients

So everyone talks about macronutrients, but what are they and how will they help you lose weight and be healthy? Whether you are building muscle, maintaining your shredded figure, or losing fat, what you put into your mouth is as important as how you train. Getting leaner is 30% exercise and 70% diet!

Your typical diet should meet the suggested daily intake of the macronutrients . The three main macros are protein, carbohydrates, and fat — these nutrients are responsible for the calorie supply in your body that you use as energy.

So today, let’s talk about what we call the BIG THREE nutrients in a balanced diet.

The King Nutrient: Protein

Protein should be a primary inclusion in your diet because it forms the structures in your cells, bones, tissues, and organs. This macronutrient is composed of amino acids, which are joined together in chains that form its properties. There are actually 20 different amino acids and 9 of them are considered vital to our bodies because we cannot produce them on our own. The only way we get these essential amino acids is through our diet.

Why do we call protein as the king of all the macros? It’s because it has a lot of important roles in the body, which includes building, maintaining, and repairing body tissues. Your liver won’t even function properly if you skimp on protein. Plus, it stimulates the release of the thyroid hormone. So if you are looking to build your muscles or even lose weight, protein is your guy!

So where can you obtain protein?

High-protein foods include lean and unprocessed meats, poultry, and fish! If you have a hard time getting enough protein into your diet, you can supply your body with protein shakes or bars.

The Energy Booster: Carbohydrates

Carbs, carbs, carbs! They say we should avoid it like the plague if we don’t want to get a spare tyre around our waist. It’s downright hilarious how other people are so ignorant about carbohydrates, when in fact it’s very essential in providing energy for the body.

We consume carbs in the form of starches and sugars, which can provide the fuel the body needs to accomplish day-to-day activities. This is because carbs are converted into glycogen, a readily available energy for the body to use. Also most carbohydrate-rich foods contain fibre that helps in our digestion, shuttling waste through the digestive system fast!

There are two types of carbs: complex carbs and simple carbs. You would want to consume the complex ones than the other. Some examples of these include whole grain foods, green veggies, oats, potatoes, and beans. You can still consume simple carbs like sugars and fruits, but try to minimise it in the mornings because they will make you crave more sugar throughout the day.

The Healthy Fats

“If you eat fat, you’ll get fat”. Because of this assumption, a lot of people shy away from including fats in their diets. But do you know that there is a good kind of fat to maintain a well-balanced diet? The healthy fat that I am talking about form the 3rd piece of the BIG THREE macro puzzle, which include omega 3, 6, and 9. But of course, you still have to consume the right amount to reap the benefits.

Why are these fats essential to our body?

Fats also function like carbs when it comes to providing energy for the body. But it is a more concentrated kind of energy. You see, when you don’t get enough carbs to convert as energy, your body will turn to your back-up energy from fats. Fats accelerate the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals. You can also consider fats as the cushions for your vital organs. In fact, its main function is for the protection of your body.

The kind of fats that you want to avoid should be saturated and trans fat. Both increase your risk for heart disease and high cholesterol levels. Plus, they are loaded with calories that will leave you on the heavier side.

Losing Weight with Macronutrients

Macronutrients are so important for losing weight. This is because the foods that you eat can affect your metabolism, hunger, and mood- all of which contribute to your goal of becoming healthier and leaner. So you need to be getting the right balance of these macronutrients!

So how do we do that? Well, it really depends on your goals. Different goals mean different roads to take to achieve the ideal body weight. Want to gain lean mass or lose fat or achieving both? If it’s both, you need to tackle these things one at a time.

If you are deficient on certain macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals, then you just get a particular supplement and take that daily until you get everything into balance.

One important macronutrient is protein.

Most of a typical person’s diet is made up of two figure killers: the fats and carbs. But it doesn’t mean all carbs and fats are bad. In fact, your body needs them! You just need a balanced diet that consists of all three macronutrients with more protein thrown in it.

I’m not saying that you should enjoy four Big Macs just because they fit your daily macros.

One good way to go about it is to carefully plan your diet around good and healthy macronutrient foods and as many unprocessed foods as possible for long term health.

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Daniel Christie – Bio

Daniel Christie

Strength & Conditioning Coach - Sports Nutritionist

Founder and head trainer at Oxford Performance Centre. Daniel has worked in the fitness industry for over 8 years and has been mentored by best in the world. Daniel is recognised as one of the top trainers in the industry. With qualifications in nutrition as well as strength and conditioning.
Daniel is a BioSignature and BioPrint practitioner, specialising in body-fat analysis. Daniel is known for his straight forward no-nonsense training style. With in-depth knowledge in the fields of nutrition, hypotrophy, strength, hormone health, biomechanics, mobility, ART, soft tissue therapy, blood analysis and functional medicine. Daniel has helped countless clients achieve rapid health and fitness goals. Whether it be fat loss, muscle building, athletic performance or for general health. Meet the rest of the team

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